All set for pre-budget seminar in Vic Falls

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

All is set for this year’s parliamentarians pre-budget seminar that will  kick off in Victoria Falls today and provides a platform for MPs and the executive to discuss the public’s expectations and priorities for the coming year.

The seminar will run from today until next Tuesday and will be held under the theme; “reinforcing sustainable recovery and resilience,” which is in line with the budget strategy paper presented by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube in June.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, the clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda said the pre-budget seminar was being held following nationwide public consultations conducted by the expanded committee on Sustainable Development Goals.

The expanded committee on SDGs conducted 44 public meetings in line with provisions of the Public Finance and Management Act and the Constitution will present a report on its findings during the pre-budget seminar.

He said from last year’s recommendations made by MPs during the pre-budget seminar, Prof Ncube had taken 51 percent on board in his budget statement which was an increase of three percent from the previous year.

“We want to assure the public out there that when parliament goes out there to gather their views they are taken seriously.”

Mr Chokuda said some of the issues raised during the public hearings include the need for Government to review income tax thresholds and for the Constituency Development Fund to be increased since it had made positive impact in communities since its introduction.

The seminar would be broadcast on television and radio and on Parliament’s social media platforms where the public can also raise their views on the budget.

The seminar would be held under strict Covid-19 regulations and yesterday MPs and other participants went through testing at Parliament building.

Prof Ncube is expected to present the 2022 budget next month.